ORGANISERS have announced that the 2020 edition of the annual Frome Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Family Fun Run has been postponed until later in the year.
The event was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday 19 July 2020 but has now been postponed until Sunday 27 September 2020.
Runners who have already entered have been contacted directly by organisers. Entries are open for the rescheduled date, with details on what happens if the event is further disrupted.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread cancellation of running events and all types of mass gatherings across the UK since March, when lockdown measures were announced.
The Frome Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & Family Fun run is delivered by more than 100 local volunteers, including groups from Army Cadet Force Frome, Frome Selwood Rotary Club, Frome Carnival Club, Frome Cricket Club, the Frome Scouts and the Nunney Residents Association, coordinated by management company The Race Organiser.
With support from Frome Town FC, Frome Town Council and charities including We Hear You, The Pod and Fair Frome, the annual day of running in Frome has grown to see more than 1,500 runners in 2019, raising thousands of pounds for local charities and making a huge contribution to the local economy.
In the early stages of effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, organisers were hopeful that events may be permitted by July, but as the understanding of the public health implications have developed, it has become clear that large gatherings for events will not be possible until a later stage.
Many major running events have been postponed until the later part of the year, including The London Marathon which rescheduled from April to 4 October 2020. All event organisers and authorities are considering modifications that may be required for events to take place safely and responsibly, to be reviewed and published month by month.
Known for the unique Frome feeling created by volunteers and residents who came out to support them across the course, the event won a Silver Award in 2019 from Racecheck, based on independent reviews from runners.
Social media posts from 2019 proved that the local and regional reputation of the race is well earned:
Roz Jones: “Yet again a fantastic event!! Can’t fault it!! Many thanks to everyone involved. Will definitely be back again next year!!”
Kerry Stenner: “It’s incredibly well organised and the support is fantastic. It’s one of the best events I’ve ever been to. This is my second time, and though I hate those hills I’ll be back again next year!”
Elaine Koller: “Great race but it was the local support from residents that made it for me.”
David Wright: “Great event, thanks to the organisers. Also the best support from residents I’ve ever experienced.”
Jason Garrahan: “I travelled down from south wales to run this today and I have to say despite by body being wrecked from those hills at the end, I thought this was the best supported half marathon I have done. The people of Frome were so supportive today at every point of the course especially with their hosepipes. You should feel very proud about your town and this event.”
Richard Parr, of the event managers ‘The Race Organiser’ said:
“Year after year, Frome proves that we offer the best little half marathon in the UK. With the huge benefits it brings to the community, we’re doing all we can to avoid cancelling the event but instead to offer the opportunity later in the year, but only if we can make it safe for all involved.
Of course, we won’t risk the health of runners, spectators or the amazing volunteer army that do such a brilliant job, so for the moment, postponing until September is our best option.
One thing is for sure – when we are all able to get back out there, this event will prove how important our community is to one another, and remind us how wonderful it is to run together.”
